Wednesday, 31 March 2010

Have finally got over my grump, thankfully I was boring myself whinging on!

Today has been a good day so far, I slept really well (probably helped that I had no husband or children to wake me up)I weigh 17st dead which is 238 lbs, i've lost a stone in almost 2 weeks, i'm thrilled.

I was worried that my wound was infected, the nurse told me on the phone yesterday that I would need to go in to London tomorrow to have it checked out, not likely, would take most of the day. So I bought new new dressings and took the old ones off and my wound looks fine, lovely in fact! It has yellow bruising and I think it got a little wet in the shower so it looked like it could be infected but its not, all is fine. I still have the steri strips on and will let it have a little air and put another dressing on later, i'm very pleased with it, its only about an inch long.

I went shopping today, Paul has taken the car so I got the bus, I went to the chemists and bought some dressings, slim fast and ladies items, then went and had a diet coke, hardly drank any though just don't fancy anything, then went to Marks and Spencers and bought soup and mousse and some eggs for the children. Isobel loves an easter egg hunt, she doesn't want to eat them just wants us to keep hiding them! We have a tiny garden, this is a hard job!

Now i'm home and i'm going to rest for a bit and whizz some soup, I have the 4th series of Greys anatomy to watch, Mcdreamy, sigh

Tuesday, 30 March 2010

Did bother posting yesterday as I was still quite meh. Feel a bit better today, lots of nausea still but much better than it was.I'm also very tired but I guess that thats to be expected.

Not managing to eat much, think that i'm eating about 500 cals a day, I know that this isn't ideal but as the nausea goes this will improve.

The weight is dropping off me, I weighed in at 17 st 2 lb's today 240 lbs. Thats a loss of 11 pounds in 9 days.

Paul has taken the children to his parents today, i've never really spent any time away from them before and i've hardly seen them this last week, i'm going to do my best to recover whilst they are away.

Sunday, 28 March 2010

Feeling a little better today but still quite sore, I was so worried and scared about the gas pains I didn't prepare myself for the wound hurting at all. Silly really!

I'm disapointed with my provider, they've not actually given me any information on how to proceed at all, they didn't even come and see me at the hospital. I got an enverlope from them there but that was mainly brochures for vitamins and food packs that they were selling. I know that my provider insist on 3 weeks liquids and 3 weeks mush food but I only know that from reading other blogs and forums, i've not had any nutritional advice at all.

I'm really struggling to get anything down, today I've had a little runny porridge, mainly warm milk, a cupa soup and a strawberry mousse. I will try and get some soup down later. I feel constantly sick but am wondering if thats because I'm not really eating.

So even more moaning from me! I did manage to shower today which was lovely, I went for a walk too so its all good, i'm hoping to hear from my provider tomorrow.

Saturday, 27 March 2010

Boring title I know but don't feel well enough to come up with anything better!

Had a better night last night, I can sleep on my left which is my favoured side so that really helped, I managed about 6 hours straight and then and extra hour or so. I've had my pain killers, I feel a little uncomfortable but not too bad. I feel quite odd, I feel hungry but full at the same time, its most odd! I've not had any breakfast yet (its 9.30 am here) I normally have a protein shake but I don't think I can face it, so thick and nasty! So its all moan moan moan here with me, Paul has taken the children off, Isobel is going away for the weekend with my Mum, they are going to stay with my aunt in the Cotswolds, they come back tomorrow but its the first time she's been away from home without us, she is so excited! Paul is taking George to visit his brother so they won't be back until much later. Paul is taking the children to stay with his parents on Tuesday until Friday so I can have some quiet recovery time, i'll miss them but I am looking forward to it, his parents think that i'm going too but my "bad back" will make it impossible, I feel awful having to lie but I just can't even comtemplate telling them.Isobel broke up from school yesterday, she's off for 3 weeks and 1 day, Paul goes back to work after easter, lord help me!

Friday, 26 March 2010

Thank you for all your kind messages, i'm just back from the hospital, my husband isn't impressed that i've logged on but there you have it!

I stayed at a hotel the night before, the room was nice but it was so noisy, don't think that I would have slept very much anyway so it didn't really matter that much in the end.I arrived at the hospital at 7, I was so hot, think it was nerves, I was looking most attractive! Got checked in to the hospital and then someone came to get me and take me to my room.Nurse came who was lovely and did my pre-op checks and told me that she thought I was going down at 9, great I thought not long to wait. Surgeon came, he was really nice, I asked when I was going to theatre thinking that I know i'm going early! Only to be told that it would be early afternoon! He said that he had a very nervous 16 yr old and another lady who was very nervous and would do them first. Anyway the waiting was so boring that I got over my nerves, I eventually went down at 2.30, felt a little tearful but ok, I had the needle thing put in my hand and they said they would give me something to relax me and I don't remember anything until I came around in the recovery room at about 5ish. Felt ok, no real pain. My wound is about 1.5 inch's long, its covered so I can't see it, I have to leave the dressing on for 10 days.

Was very well looked after in the hospital but offered nothing other than tea and water no shakes or soup or anything, was starving when I got home, have just had a banana shake.

Anyway i'm not quite with it as didn't sleep that well, just wanted to say that its all over and it wasn't too bad. So far i've had no wind pains at all, that was the thing I was most worried about too.

Wednesday, 24 March 2010

I had a bit of a melt down last night, Paul and I were discussing arrangements for tonight as i'm staying in a hotel in central London. The thought of being there on my own fills me full of dread, I quite like my own company but I will miss him dreadfully, it made me sad thinking about the children waking up for the next 2 days and I won't be there. They know i'm going away, they don't know why, Isobel understands but George has no clue, aslong as Paul panders to his every whim he won't care at all!

I weighed in again today, i've lost another pound taking me down to 17st 8 lbs which is 246lbs. I've found this liquid diet much easier than I thought I would, i've not had any hunger pains at all which i'm suprised about and that little voice in my head is wondering if I could do it alone, I know I can't, its just the fear talking.

Won't be blogging until Friday probably, will take my itouch and see if the hospital has wifi so there might be a little update.

Tuesday, 23 March 2010

According to my scales i'm down 4 pounds, have done 3 days of pre-op diet, I now weigh 247 lbs or 17 st 9lb's

Have just paid the balance for the operation, there is no going back. I'm scared, really scared, not really of the pain, I've had 2 c-sections, 1 under general anesthetic, they must have been much worse and at least this time I won't have an enormous baby to try and nurse ( Isobel was 10.3 lb and 10 days early and George 11.8lb's and 7 days early, It was hard going)

I'm not going to have anyone with me as Paul has to be here because of the children, only him and Sarah know and to be honest i'd only want Paul with me, i'll probably be much braver on my own.

Have just taken George to a playgroup, George is a proper homebody, he's like an old man, he likes his seat on the couch and likes to sit and demand whatever he wants! He spent most of the time there saying come on Mummy, home. I had a friend there who informed me that her son had headlice, she did this when he was sat next to George, i'm not impressed and have been itching constantly since! Imagine, Sorry Alison, we can't operate you have an infestation!!I'm going to buy some teatree shampoo later and use it on all of us, I just had my hair coloured, will be most impressed if it removes it.

As you can gather from the above, nothing exciting is happening in my life!

Monday, 22 March 2010

I know that the titles are getting a little repetitive but crikey, I have 3 days to go!

I sort of feel ok about it now, i'm worried about the pain after the op, not the incision pain (i'm having a single incision) but the trapped wind, it scares me.

Getting home from the hospital was going to be a problem, I live in North Essex and i'm having my op in central London, i'm staying a hotel the night before so getting to the hospital is fine but getting home is a problem. Paul can't come and get me because of the kids, Isobel is at school and we don't know what time i'll be discharged, it would take him around 2 hours to get to the hospital and the same back and traffic could be a problem. George hates the car too so it wouldn't be fun or relaxing! I've booked a taxi to bring me back, feel much happier now that its sorted.

The thing that I have learned today: Putting hot water with a chocolate shake makes it disgusting!Hope that everyone is well, i'm thrilled with my 9 followers!

Sunday, 21 March 2010

Firstly huge thanks for the comments, it's so nice to have the support of all of you, you've all done so well.

2nd day on the pre-op diet today, its actually going ok, my lovely husband has cooked all of his and the childrens food so that helps, I can smell it though!

I took my daughter, Isobel, who's 5 to the cinema today, we went with one of her school friends and her mother who is also a friend, she doesn't know about my surgery though and couldn't understand why I didn't eat any of the junk available, I wanted to but I didn't. The day was kind of ruined by my daughter comparing something to her Mummy's big fat tummy, just what you want to hear! I feel quite sad, its true though I suppose.

Only 4 days to go, I need to go food shopping but don't think that I can face it, plus George hates it and whines the whole way around so I think i'll do an online grocery shop.

Just thinking about exercise, have just watched a program about Eddie Izzard, not sure how well known he is outside of the uk, he did 43 marathons in 51 days, what a man!

Saturday, 20 March 2010

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5.452. How do you like your steak?I don't eat red meat3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?My name is Khan4. What is your favorite TV show?Greys anatomy5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? By the sea or in NY6. What did you have for breakfast?A banana shake7. What is your favorite cuisine?Indian8. What foods do you dislike?Oily fish9. Favorite place to eat?Oxo tower10. Favorite dressing?French11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Nissan Qashqai12. What are your favorite clothes? Dresses13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?Banff14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?Empty15. Where would you want to retire? the coast16. Favorite time of day?Evening17. Where were you born? Sheffield, Yorkshire18. What is your favorite sport to watch? F119. Bird watcher? Not really20. Are you a morning person or a night person?night person21. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I've having a gastric band fitted on Thursday!22. What did you want to be when you were little? An icecream lady so I could eat it all (wonder why i'm fat!)23. What is your best childhood memory? Running down a beach in the North of England holding my fathers hand, running in to a oil slick and ruining my sandles!24. Are you a cat or dog person?Dog25. Are you married?yes26. Always wear your seat belt? yes27. Been in a car accident?Yes28. Any pet peeves?Competitive parenting!!29. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Cheese, cheese and more cheese30. Favorite Flower? tulips31. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate32. Favorite fast food restaurant? Not really a fast food kind of girl33. How many times did you fail your driver's test?twice34. From whom did you get your last email?my friend Raquel35. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?Monsoon36. Do anything spontaneous lately?No37. Broccoli? Yes38. What was your favorite vacation? Honeymoon in Italy39. Last person you went out to dinner with?Sarah40. What are you listening to right now? Mr maker on the tv41. What is your favorite color?pink42. How many tattoos do you have?None43. Coffee drinker?yes

Have my second follower, thanks so much for your comment Linda, makes me feel i'm not alone!

I start my 5 day pre-op diet today, I get to have 4 shakes, 2 soups and 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, there is no mention of milk, i'm a tea addict and there is no way I can cut it out completely so will try and limit myself to 2 cups per day, luckily my lovely sister sent me a Emma Bridgewater pint mug for my birthday last week!

I went out for my "last supper" last night, I was with my friend Sarah who knows about my plans. She struggles with her weight and is very supportive but doesn't feel that she could have a band, her husband, who is also a friend, doesn't know about it, she feels that he wouldn't approve. I don't really care one way or another but he seems to have twigged that there was a reason for us going out last night and is convinced that my marriage is breaking up!

Thursday, 18 March 2010

Just recieved 3 huge boxes of dried food stuffs for my 5 day pre and 3 week post operative diet, there is loads of it but then I guess its almost 4 weeks worth of food.

This time next week it should all be over, can't quite believe that its happening and am having some doubts today. Does anyone end up regreting having a band fitted? Read an awful post on Ukgastricband forum and its got me thinking.

Today's dilema is telling people, only my husband and my best friend know, no one else, not my Mother or Father, Paul (husband) says that they don't need to know unless I want to tell them, I just don't want to get in to wether I should do this or not, maybe I should tell them after or maybe they don't ever need to know, they should only (hopefully!) notice the weight loss and that i'm eating less, right? but everything else should be pretty normal I hope!

Wednesday, 17 March 2010

Nothing very exciting happening today. Just at home with my son, George who is 2 and gorgeous!

Thought that I would write about why I decided to start a blog, I have read dozens and dozens of lap band blogs and they have all been a fantastic help, i've only managed to find 1 other British one and so spend lots of time wondering what cilantro is and trying to work out if I have the time to import all these fantastic pro-band products that seem to be available in the States.The day by day updates are so helpful and I feel I know pretty much what to expect.

I've called my provider and chased up the foodpacks, they should be here tomorrow, I have 1 day to get my head around them and i'm on the liquid diet on Saturday.

I've been thinking alot about what multivitamin to take post surgery, I guess that it should be soluble, better do some research.

Am on day 3 of following Weight watchers, i've not lost anything at all!! Its just not fair!

Tuesday, 16 March 2010

Hello and welcome to my blog. I've never written a blog before and live a dull life so i'm not sure its going to be very interesting!

I'm 37, live in England and am married with 2 children. I've been overweight for as long as I can remember and have dieted on and off for over 10 years but i'm still overweight. I have always thought that weightloss surgery was a step too far for me but suddenly about 6 weeks ago decided that I couldn't carry on as I was and I started researching a gastric band.

I liked the band as its fairly non-invasive and if it all goes wrong it can be taken out and everything should go back to normal.

I weigh (I never tell anyone this) 17 st 13 lb's which is 251 pounds. When i've dieted in the past I have never got below 15 stones (210 pounds)

I'm having the surgery privately and my surgery date is March the 25th. I'm having it done in London with Healthier Weight who have a really good reputation.

I'm scared, really scared. The operation frightens but I think that i'm more frightened incase it fails, surely this is my last resort?

I only have to do a 5 day diet, i've bought the packs from the company who i'm having the surgery with, hopefully they will arrive very soon as i'm due to start on Saturday. This week i'm following Weight watchers (hopefully for the last time ever) to hopefully give me a little loss and ease me in to the pre-op diet.